The Punta Gorda City Review Committee approved the Sept. 26, 2025, meeting minutes and granted conditional permits for three community events on Oct. 10, 2025, requiring organizers to confirm operational details and secure permits before event day.

Committee principal planner Carl Bench opened the meeting at 9 a.m. and called for a motion to approve the Sept. 26 minutes; the motion and second were recorded and the committee voice-voted the minutes approved. Later the committee considered permits for the Charlotte County Chamber Christmas Parade (Dec. 13, 2025), a Salty Tarpon event with a band (Oct. 25, 2025), and a neighborhood fall festival at the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library (Oct. 25, 2025). All three event applications were approved with conditions.

Why it matters: approvals set logistical and legal conditions event organizers must meet — including coordination with police and public works, required permits, and alcohol‑service documentation — to protect traffic safety, public safety at closures and compliance with local permitting rules.

Committee discussion and conditions
- Parade (25-195327): Staff asked organizers to confirm the parade step-off time so police can staff intersections. The approval requires step-off confirmation before the event and any other conditions staff listed. The motion was approved by voice vote.

- Salty Tarpon band event (25-1956112): Staff and a police representative flagged that the application lists alcohol service and includes road closures. The committee approved the event contingent on: (1) confirmation whether alcohol will be served in the closed roadway area; (2) the applicant obtaining a detail officer if alcohol is allowed in the closed area; (3) coordination with Public Works for maintenance‑of‑traffic (MOT) plans; and (4) a tent permit if tents are used. A staff member noted that if the venue’s current alcohol license does not include the extended outdoor area, the applicant must obtain an extension permit through ABT.

- Neighborhood Fall Festival (25-195620) at Punta Gorda Charlotte Library, 401 Shreve Street: Staff said the applicant is coordinating with the community services lieutenant and will have at least one in‑kind detail officer and a second officer on duty; Public Works objected to parking on Shreve Street swales; a tent permit is required. Alexander Friend, board recorder, invited departments to participate in the free Oct. 25 event and said organizers were still seeking sponsors and volunteers.

Administrative notes and required documentation
Staff also requested that vendors or servers of alcohol provide a copy of IRS tax-exempt documentation in the name and license of the person or company selling alcohol, if applicable; Public Works emphasized the need to work with applicants on MOT plans; tent permits are required where tents are erected. Committee approvals were taken as motions with seconds and passed by voice vote; the transcript records committee members saying “aye” and no recorded opposition for each motion.

Ending: Organizers for each approved event must satisfy the listed conditions — including step-off confirmation, police details, ABT extension (if needed), tent permits, and Public Works coordination — before events proceed.